Last week
I wrote about the laziness and lack of personal devotion I felt in engagement
with the Lord. I am happy to write now, that while my devotion to prayer is
still not where I want it to be, Christ has increased our time together,
allowing me to feel more of His presence in the limited meetings we’ve had. God
has orchestrated gatherings to reveal more of His wisdom and answered prayers that
were spoken only days ago. This week there was a small increase of focus on His
Kingdom and an encounter with the Holy Spirit that, though quick, gave me a
peaceful conviction. God has (as usual) been unbelievably kind to me and it’s
with gratitude that I write this entry.
Just
in my life alone, the Lord has been extremely busy these past seven days. On
Monday a friend and I discussed getting together for a Bible study that we
weren’t too thrilled about attending and we both decided not to go. However, less
than an hour later I was called back and asked if I still held any interest in
going because the reasons my friend gave for not wanting to, had all been
rescheduled. With some reluctance I agreed, but after it was over I was glad to
have went. It’s a good thing the Lord seemed to have other plans for our
excuses because I learned something new that night. I was given encouragement
and saw people who experienced unspeakable tragedies rejoice in Jesus, giving
praise for His control. The whole way this night happened was strangely
beautiful and I could recognize the artistry of God behind it all. Praise be to
Him!
Tuesday,
my boss and I were at a local store. The lady at the cash register was very
friendly and we had a rather pleasant (somewhat lengthy) interaction. When we
left, my boss asked me why people were so interested in talking with me. It was
the second time over a five-day period that he watched someone strike up a
conversation with me out of the blue and do so as if we had been friends for
years. I answered my boss in a way that jokingly alluded to me not
understanding it either and the disinterest I had in the conversations he was
witness to. That night, as I was driving home and talking with the Lord about
other things, His Spirit brought to mind the answer I had given my boss. Jesus
impressed upon my heart and told me that I needed to revisit that answer
because I did care about the conversations I was having. I did care about these
strangers and my boss needed to know that what I said was untrue. Thankfully
God allowed for that conversation to come up again on Wednesday and I was
relieved when I got to tell my boss that I shouldn’t have said what I did,
explaining that we’re all just trying to enjoy this crazy life with some fun,
so why not engage?
Thursday,
while at work, I got a call from my sister that was refreshing and excited. We
talked briefly about the Lord and His majesty, the ways we related in
disappointment, and the idea that we sometimes feel His harvest isn’t enough
(even though it always is). At the end of our quick call my sister told me that
she was so glad she had dialed my number and I was just as glad, if not more.
Jesus has a timing that is just perfect and asking Him last week to help me was
a help all in itself.
Friday,
I ended my workweek on a high note. Everyone was in a cheerful mood as the
stresses of concern seemed to melt away and I got to share a little bit about
my church life with the team. Everyone, including the new girl who started on
Monday, now knows about my love for Jesus and the trust I have in His
authority. I see the glimmer of interest in my faith and I look forward to
sharing more of it in the coming months.
While
Friday came to a close the weekend began and ended quickly but one thing
happened today that I’m extremely thankful for. Driving home from my mothers’
house I was talking to God about a variety of things when I took some time to
pray for my bosses’ family. Not even 10 minutes later did my boss text me to
share about the improvement of health in his family and the hopeful outlook of
circumstances! What a blessing I was given in that moment. What a reassuring
way to remind me that God is with us. The ways that Jesus communicates, reveals
Himself, comforts, and teaches us, is sometimes (often) unbelievable. However,
I believe because I look for Him and when I’m looking, He’s always there. He’s
in everything and has created everything for His good pleasure but the world
(just as often) gets in the way.
To that I
have to say we have the ability to choose what we focus on. We have the ability
to direct our thoughts to the Father of created life and while it may seem
difficult (believe me, I know it can be), it is always a choice. So Lord, help
me to choose You. Continue to equip me with Your strength so I can willfully
focus on Your Truth. Reveal to me Your guidance and open my eyes to recognize
you in my every surrounding. God you have been faithfully wonderful to me and I
give praise for Your closeness. Come closer to me oh Lord! Give me wisdom and
insight to Your Kingdom, using me as a vessel to further Your plans of revival.
I pray for those who might be looking God, for those who aren’t looking at all,
that You would soften hard hearts and bring to light the glory of Salvation in
Your son Jesus Christ. It’s in these things I pray dear Friend. In Your name I
live. Amen!